Reclining chairs



March 5, 1957 s. c. TONG RECLINING CHAIRS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 1, 1953 INVENTOR, GEORGE C. ToNG.

3 wwflw g ATTORNEYS.

March 5, 1957 s. c. TONG 2,783,323

RECLINING CHAIRS Filed June 1, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR, GEORGE C. TONG,

A TTORNEYS.

Unite This invention relates broadly to reclining chairs, and more particularly to tables or manipulative appliances for accommodation of persons in various recumbent and semi-recumbent positions.

Those experienced in the mechano-therapy art are familiar with manipulative tables of the character used for orthopedic purposes to relax and stretch muscles, open joints and facilitate blood circulation. Generally, such tables are imposing affairs with many adjustments, and while satisfactory for their intended purposes, the expense, bulkiness and complications in adjustment preclude their use outside the oflice of a professional orthopedist. There is accordingly a need for a simple, lightweight and inexpensive appliance adapted for home use, and it is an object of the invention to provide such an appliance, and in particular, to provide a device that may be readily set up as a reclining table for traction purposes and the like.

While various types of reclining chairs are known in the art, they do not afford as much adjustability as may be desired. In some types, the leg rest, seat and back portions may be rocked as a unit, but are fixed relative to one another. In other types, the back is adjustable, but in those instances the back cannot generally be swung below a horizontal plane and then returned to its initial position. It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide an improved reclining chair having leg, seat and back portions which are independently adjustable to various angles, the leg and back portions, in particular, being adapted to be swung both above and below horizontal planes.

Briefly, the device of this invention comprises three body-supporting sections, which are hinged to one another to permit relative movement. Such sections can be formed as relatively rigid frames with a plurality of interwoven flexible strips fastened thereto. The central section or seat is elevated by a pair of depending supports, one of which is preferably hinged and the other of which is relatively fixed. A connecting member between the two supports provides for varying the angle of one .support and thereby the tilt of the seat. The leg-supporting end section is hinged for swinging movement from a lowermost position adjacent the floor to an upper position angling away from the floor, and carries a depending support, which in a preferred form is pivoted for swinging movement from a position projecting beneath the seat to a vertical position for resting upon the floor. The back-supporting end section has adjusting arms, which project above the seat for interlocking cooperation with the seat when the back is elevated, but Which may be released and used to manipulate the section in lower positions.

In use as an inclined table, the device is provided with ankle harness cooperable with a post on the leg rest. Each ankle is provided with a flexible strapping device comprising a pair of soft pads, to one of which is secured a long loop. The loop extends through eyelets at the ends of the other pad, so that the pads are drawn together as tension is applied to the end of the loop. An individual States Paten "ice slips the pads over his feet and seats himself upon the appliance with the leg section in alowermost position and the back elevated. The loops of the harness are then conveniently slipped over the post on the leg section, and upon leaning back, the leg rest may be lifted upwardly, so that its support swings outwardly to a vertical position. The back is then released so thatit swings downwardly to a position adjacent the floor, whereupon the body assumes an inclined, feed-uppermost position adapted to produce traction. When it is desired to return to a sitting position, pressure is applied to the upwardly-extending arms with the result that the back swings upwardly.

Additionally, the invention contemplates that the appliance will be collapsible to a compact arrangement suitable for storage. In such instance the back rest is folded fiat against a rearwardly projecting support for the seat, and the leg rest is folded fiat behind the seat. The various supports are then hinged into generally aligned condition. To facilitate this arrangement, it is contemplated that the longitudinal strips shall be secured to crossbars which may yield inwardly as the device is adjusted to various positions. In the folded condition, there may be considerable slack, whereas in an erected condition, considerable tension may be applied to the longitudinal strips.

Other features of the invention will be in part apparent from and in part pointed out in the following detail description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the device of this invention as it might be used for supporting ones legs in an elevated position;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view illustrating the device with the leg rest adjusted to a position adjacent the floor;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to that of Fig. 2 showing the device adjusted to function as an inclined table;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the foot end of the device showing details of the angle harness; and

Fig. 5 is a view similar to that of Fig. 3 but showing the device folded for storage.

Referring now to the drawings, there is shown a reclining chair having a central section A and relatively movable end sections B and C. Relatively movable supports on the center or seat section A provide for its adjustment to various angles with respect to the floor, there being adjusting means for interconnecting these supports. The end section B is supported as a leg rest by an adjusting member, which is arranged to provide for varying elevations of the leg rest both above and below the horizontal plane. The other end section C, which constitutes the back of the chair, is normally retained in an elevated condition, but may be lowered and raised upon release of arms which are adjustably interconnected with the seat.

The above-described structure is readily manufactured from a plurality of generally U-shaped metal frames. The seat portion A is formed :at one end of a relatively long frame 1, the other end of which functions as one of the supports for the seat. A relatively movable support for the seat is thenprovided bya smaller frame 3, which is pivoted adjacent the free ends of the frame member 1. The leg rest 13 and the back C are then formed by frames 5 and 7 pivotally connected, respectively, at the free ends and along the legs of the frame 1. The free ends of the frame 1 may be covered with rubber feet and adjacent brackets 11 provide forthe pivotal connection of the frames 3 and 5. The pivot point for the frame .5 is offset directly below the ends of the frame 1, whereas the ends of the supporting member 3 are inwardly offset. This arrangement facilitates collapse and storage of the chain in a manner to be described.

The actualsupporting surfaces of the chair are formed 3 the respective frames to extend transversely and longitudinally thereof. A crossbar 13 is mounted on the outer part of the frame 5 and a similar bar is mounted to extend across the outer portion of the frame 7. These bars 13 and 15 are movably mounted on guides 17 projecting inwardly from base sections 19 and 21, respectively, and are spring biased outwardly by coil springs 23. The longitudinal Webbing is secured at its ends to the inwardly-yielding bars, Whereas the transverse webbing is secured along the sides of the chair.

It will be noted that there aretransverse strips 27 secured in spaced relationship substantially the length of the frame 5 and interwoven with the longitudinal webbing. A single strap 29 adjacent the seat A extends transpersely beneath all of the longitudinal members. Additional interwoven transverse strips 31 are secured along the seat portion of the frame 1, and another single strip 33 overlies all of the longitudinal webbing adjacent a the back C. The upper projecting portion of the back frame 7 carries interwoven transverse Webbing 35. It will be understood that as the frames 5 and 7 are swung to different angles, the straps 29 and 33 function to retain the longitudinal members in proper position, while the latter are maintained under tension by the spring-biased crossbars 13 and 15.

The relative positions of the seat, back and leg supporting sections are under control of certain adjusting elements. The elevation and angle of the seat A is varied by retracting its movable support 3 relative to the fixed support constituted by the rearwardly projecting part of the frame 1. A notched member 37 extends rearwardly from the base of the supporting frame 3, and a chain 38 extending from the member 37 is secured over a hook 39 at the base of the frame 1. Any one of the plural links of the chain may form an attaching loop, hence the spread of the seat-supports is variable over a considerable range.

The elevation and angle of the leg rest B is varied.

by means of an element 41, which is pivotally secured in depending relationship from the base 19 of the frame 5. This element includes inner and outer telescoping members 43 and 45 movable between retracted and extended positions. A seat screw 47 carried by the outer tube 45 is adapted to lock the inner member 43 in its extended position. 'The inner member in turn carries a foot 49 of slip-resistant material and of shape adapted to seat within certain notches 51 in the aforementioned member 37. As such, the leg rest B may be adjusted from a position of minimum elevation, wherein the foot 49 seats in the most rearmost notch 51 to a position of maximum elevation wherein the foot extends vertically from the floor. Inasmuch as the element 41 swings freely, the leg rest may be quickly and conveniently adjosted from a lower to an upper position merely by lifting the frame 5 so that the element. 41 swings out- Wardly.

The elevation of the back-supporting section C is controlled by somewhat different mechanism. It will be noted that the associated frame 7, which is pivoted at 53 on the outer side of frame 1, has portions 55 projecting beyond the pivot.

53, and notched arms 59 are pivoted on the free ends of the frame 7 for interlocking cooperation with the pins 57 at selected ones of plural notches 61. These arms have handles or grips 63 at their upper ends projecting above the seat (in Fig. 1), and the notches open forwardly. Hence the back-supporting section is conveniently adjusted by manipulation of these arms.

In use, the device can be set to provide for almost any type of recumbent or semi-recumbent position. For example, the arrangement may be like that of a conventional chair with a foot rest, as shown in Fig. 2; or the legs may be elevated, as shown in Fig. 1; or the back.

may be lowered, as shown in Fig. 3, to produce an in- Pins 57 project from the sides of the seat at points forwardly of the pivot axis clined table effect.

; vention contemplates the use of an ankle harness shown in Fig. 4, which is coperable with a post 65 attached to the base 1d of the frame 5. The harness is herein shown to comprise a pair of pads 101 and 103 of relatively soft material, which may be drawn about the ankle. 'I'he pad 101, which is shown to be fitted against the back of the ankle, has a short strap 105 forming small loops 107 at each end of the pad. The other pad 103, which fits across the instep, carries a larger loop 109 which is slidably received through the eyelets 107 and which is adapted to hook over the post 65 at the foot end of the chair.

In operation, the chair may be initially in the condition shown in Fig. 2. The ankle harness is fitted around the ankles and secured upon the post 65. The legs are then lifted so that the leg-supporting section is carried upwardly by the interconnection of the harness, and the support 41 swings outwardly to the vertical position of Fig. l. The notched arms 59 are then released from the pins 63 so that the back swings downwardly to the position shown in Fig. 3. As a result, the body is subjected to a gravity-induced traction effect.

When it is desired to return to a conventional position, the notched arms are gripped at their handles 63 and pushed downwardly, while at the same time the individual endeavors to lean forwardly. An overcentering action occurs with the result that the back section is elevated and locked in the elevated position of Fig. 1. By sliding forward a slight amount, the ankle harness may be lifted off the post 65 and the feet swung over the side of the chair.

When the device is not in use, it may be conveniently thereof extending over the base of the frame 1. As such,

the appliance may rest upon the rubber feet 9.

From the above, it will be apparent that the device of this invention meets the aforestated objects in that it is relatively inexpensive, lightweight, simple to manipulate,

and conveniently stored. Moreover, both end sections of the chair are adjustable relative to the seat and to one another through positions both above and below a horiz-ontal plane.

Although one embodiment has been disclosed in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto, but the drawings and description thereof are to be understood as being merely illustrative. It is realized that many modifications and variations will present themselves to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of this invention or the scope thereof as set forth in the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

l. A reclining chair comprising a first elongate C- shaped frame, a second C-shaped frame hinged at its free ends adjacent those of said first frame, and a third C-shaped frame hinged to said first frame intermediate its ends, flexible web material stretched over said frames between the closed ends of said second and third frames, a C-shaped supporting member hinged adjacent the free ends of said first frame, adjustable connecting means extending between the closed ends of said first frame and said supporting member to vary the angle of the inter mediate portion of the chair, an adjustable telescoping Should a horizontal bed be desired,

member connected to the closed end of said second frame for varying the elevation of said second frame up to a point where the second frame is generally coplanar with said first frame, and third adjustable means interconnecting said second and third frames for varying the angle of said third frame with respect to said first frame to and including a position wherein the third frame is substantially coplanar with the first frame.

2. A light-weight foldable reclining chair comprising a first elongate frame, a second frame hinged at one end adjacent one end of said first frame, and a third frame 'hinged to said first frame intermediate its ends, weightsupporting material covering said frames between the outer ends of said second and third frames, at supporting member hinged adjacent the outer end of said first frame, adjustable means interconnecting said first frame and said supporting member to vary the angle of the intermediate portion of the chair, an adjustable extendable member connected to the outer end of said second frame for varying the elevation of said second frame up to a point where the second frame is generally above said first frame, and third adjustable means interconnecting said second and third frames for varying the angle of said third frame with respect to said first frame to and in eluding a position wherein the third frame is below the intermediate portion of the first frame.

3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 2, further including means mounted on the outer end of said second frame for attaching a foot harness, thereby to provide for trac- :tion when the three frames are in substantial coplanar relationship and the third frame is lower than the second frame.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Brintnall Aug. 15, Young Jan. 28, Marst-on May 24, Bernauer Dec. 22, Petrie Mar. 8, Wells Oct. 18, Havnar Feb. 28, Parmalee July 30, Seidler Mar. 21, Simpson Mar. 2, Bartholorne Feb. 21, Palmer Oct. 3, Whitehead May 9, Alten Aug. 26, Bell Nov. 15, Williams Nov. 12, Kruse Dec. 17, Beehler a Jan. 7, Roth Jan. 25, Rikelman July 24, Burd Dec. 23, Thompson Apr. 7, Vallone June 15,

FOREIGN PATENTS Sweden Dec. 9, Germany Feb. 5, 

